Semi-automatic cannulation device

ABSTRACT

An improved intravascular catheter placement device for semi-automatic insertion, i.e. manually triggered self-propelled insertion, of an intravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vessel comprising a hollow needle, an intravascular catheter concentric with said hollow needle, a chamber in communication with said hollow needle wherein the pressure within said chamber is a vacuum pressure and self-propelling means for moving said catheter into a blood vessel upon penetration of the wall of the blood vessel by the tip of the hollow needle. 
     The self-propelling means acting upon the catheter is manually actuated by the operator of the device upon visualization of the backflow of blood occurring upon penetration of the blood vessel by the tip of the needle, said backflow of blood being accelerated into said chamber by the vacuum pressure present within said chamber. 
     As a result of the combination of accelerated blood backflow and of manually triggered self-propelled advancement of the catheter, catheters insertion into blood vessels is significantly improved.

RELATED CASES

This application is a DIVISIONAL APPLICATION of our U.S. Pat. No.5,312,361, issued on May 17, 1994 copending application Ser. No.07/929,182 filed on Aug. 10, 1992, which in turn is a continuation inpart of our copending patent application Ser. No. 07/834,161 filed onFeb. 11, 1992, and now abandoned, which is in turn aContinuation-In-Part of our initial patent application, Ser. No.07/759,157, filed Sep. 13, 1991, now abandoned.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to blood vessel cannulation devices and isparticularly directed to automatic means for catheter placement withinblood vessels.

PRIOR ART

Cannulating blood vessels is a common procedure in patient care, inorder to administer fluids, drugs, blood or blood products. Heretofore,there have been two basic types of catheter for accomplishingcannulation. In one instance, the needle is within the catheter; whilein the other instance, the catheter is within the needle. In both cases,the needle serves to penetrate the skin and the wall of the blood vesseland, once the blood vessel has been entered, the catheter is advancedmanually until an adequate position is reached. Unfortunately, suchmanual catheter placement involves both of the operator's hands; one forstabilization of the needle, and the other for advancement of thecatheter. Furthermore, manual catheter placement is an extremelydelicate procedure which can be performed only by specially trained andhighly skilled medical personnel and, even then, placement failure isnot uncommon, due to such factors as failure to recognize penetration ofthe blood vessel, sequence delays, disruption of the continuity of theblood vessel, patient anatomical variability, etc.

A search in the United States Patent Office has revealed the followingreferences:

    ______________________________________                                        PATENT NO.   INVENTOR        ISSUED                                           ______________________________________                                        4,767,407    S. J. Foran     Aug. 30, 1988                                    4,904,240    R. L. Hoover    Feb. 27, 1990                                    4,944,728    M. W. Carrell et al                                                                           Jul. 31, 1990                                    4,966,589    J. M. Kaufman   Oct. 30, 1990                                    ______________________________________                                    

Each of these references requires manual advancement of the catheterand, hence, is subject to the disadvantages discussed above. Thus, noneof the prior art catheter placement devices has been entirelysatisfactory.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION

These disadvantages of prior art catheter placement devices are overcomewith the present invention and an improved catheter placement device isproposed which automatically advances the catheter, once the bloodvessel has been penetrated, and which may be triggered one-handedly or,in a preferred embodiment, includes means for sensing penetration of ablood vessel and for automatically advancing the catheter in response tosuch penetration.

The advantages of the present invention are preferably attained byproviding an improved catheter placement device comprising a needle, acatheter concentric with the needle, resilient means urging saidcatheter to an advanced position, and means for triggering the resilientmeans upon penetration of the wall of a blood vessel. The triggeringmeans may be manual or may include means for sensing penetration of ablood vessel and for automatically advancing the catheter in response tosuch penetration.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved catheter placement device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcatheter placement device which permits one-handed insertion andplacement of a catheter.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcatheter placement device which permits automatic advancement of thecatheter, once a blood vessel has been penetrated.

A specific object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcatheter placement device comprising a needle, a catheter concentricwith the needle, self-propelled, automatic means for catheteradvancement, and means for triggering said means for self-propelledadvancement upon penetration of the wall of a blood vessel. Thetriggering means may be manual or may include means for sensingpenetration of a blood vessel and for automatically advancing thecatheter in response to such penetration.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description, taken with referenceto the figures of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a transverse section through a catheter placement deviceembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 1, showing the catheterplacement device is its unlocked position;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section through the catheter placement device ofFIG. 1, taken on the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the latch member of the catheter placementdevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section through an alternative form of thecatheter placement device of FIG. 1, shown in the unarmed condition;

FIG. 6 is a view showing the catheter placement device of FIG. 5 in itsarmed condition, after penetration of the skin, but prior to penetrationof a blood vessel;

FIG. 7 is a view showing the catheter placement device of FIG. 5immediately following penetration of a blood vessel;

FIG. 8 is a view showing the catheter placement device of FIG. 5following advancement of the catheter;

FIG. 9 is transverse section through another alternative form of thecatheter placement device of FIG. 1, shown in its unarmed condition;

FIG. 10 is a view showing the catheter placement device of FIG. 9 in itsarmed condition, after penetration of the skin, but prior to penetrationof a blood vessel;

FIG. 11 is a view showing the catheter placement device of FIG. 9immediately after penetration of a blood vessel;

FIG. 12 is a view showing the catheter placement device of FIG. 9following advancement of the catheter;

FIG. 13 is a transverse section through a further alternative form ofthe catheter placement device of FIG. 1, shown in its unarmed condition;

FIG. 14 is a view showing the catheter placement device of FIG. 13 inits armed condition, after penetration of the skin, but prior topenetration of a blood vessel;

FIG. 15 is a view showing the catheter placement device of FIG. 13 inits armed condition, after penetration of the skin, but prior topenetration of a blood vessel;

FIG. 16 is a view showing the catheter placement device of FIG. 13following advancement of the catheter;

FIG. 17 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 1, showing anotheralternative form of the catheter placement device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a view, similar to FIG. 5, showing another alternative formof the catheter placement device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 19 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 5, showing an additionalalternative form of the catheter placement device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 20 is a view, similar to FIG. 9, showing a further alternative formof the catheter placement device of FIG.9;

FIG. 21 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 20, showing the catheterplacement device of FIG. 20 in its "armed" position;

FIG. 22 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 9, showing anotheralternative form of the catheter placement device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 23 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 22 showing the catheterplacement device of FIG. 21 in its "armed" position;

FIG. 24 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 22 showing the catheterplacement device of FIG. 22 immediately after penetration of a bloodvessel;

FIG. 25 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 22 showing the catheterplacement device of FIG. 22 immediately after release of the catheter;

FIG. 26 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 9, showing an additionalalternative form of the catheter placement device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 27 shows an alternative form of the catheter placement device withan automatic arming rod;

FIG. 28 shows a cross-section of the automatic arming rod of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 27, showing the catheterplacement device of FIG. 27 after skin penetration and the beginning ofthe automatic arming process;

FIG. 30 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 27, showing the catheterplacement device of FIG. 27 after skin penetration, in a further stageof the arming process;

FIG. 31 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 27, showing the catheterplacement device of FIG. 27 immediately after penetration of a bloodvessel;

FIG. 32 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 27, showing the catheterplacement device of FIG. 27 immediately after release of the catheter;

FIG. 33 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 27, after the removal of theneedle, showing connection of the catheter with the intravenous tubing;

FIG. 34 shows an additional alternative form of the catheter placementdevice;

FIG. 35 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 34, showing the catheterplacement device of FIG. 34 immediately after skin penetration;

FIG. 36 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 34, showing the catheterplacement device of FIG. 34, immediately after release of the catheter;

FIG. 37 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 9, showing an additional formof the catheter placement device of FIG.9;

FIG. 38 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 5, showing an alternativeform of the catheter placement device of FIG. 5 prior to skinpenetration;

FIG. 39 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 38, showing the catheterplacement device of FIG. 38 immediately after skin penetration;

FIG. 40 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 38, showing the catheterplacement device of FIG. 38 immediately after blood vessel penetration;

FIG. 41 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 38, showing the catheter ofthe catheter placement device of FIG. 38 placed intravenously;

FIG. 42 shows the separate four components of a further alternative formof the catheter placement device;

FIG. 43 shows the device of FIG. 42 while being assembled;

FIG. 44 shows a further stage on the assembly of catheter placementdevice of FIG. 42;

FIG. 45 shows the assembled unit of FIG. 42 prior to skin penetration;

FIG. 46 shows the assembled unit of FIG. 42 after penetration into ablood vessel;

FIG. 47 shows the disengaging of the propelling unit of FIG. 42 from thecatheter placed intravenously;

FIG. 48 shows an alternative form of the catheter placement device ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 49 shows a top view of the same catheter device of FIG. 48;

FIG. 50 shows the catheter placement device of FIG. 48 after bloodvessel penetration;

FIG. 51 shows an alternative form of a semi-automatic catheter placementdevice;

FIG. 52 shows the catheter placement device of FIG. 51 after bloodvessel penetration.

FIG. 53 shows yet an alternative form of a fully automatic catheterplacement device, where the means for sensing penetration arerepresented by an opto-electric source-sensor pair.

FIG. 54 show an alternative form of the device of FIG. 53 where therepresented sensors are temperature sensors.

FIG. 55 show an alternative form of the device of FIG. 53 where therepresented sensors are sensors detecting the electrical conductivityproperties of the blood.

FIG. 56 shows an alternative form of the device of FIG. 53 in which therepresented sensor is a flow detector sensor.

FIG. 57 shows an alternative device of FIG. 53, where the representedsensor is an acoustic sensor.

FIG. 58 shows yet an alternative form of the device of FIG. 53 in whichthe represented sensor is a pressure sensor.

FIG. 59 shows yet an alternative form of the device of FIG. 53 in whichthe represented sensor is an illustration of a sensor of chemicalproperties of the blood, such as a pH sensor, or of a sensor capable ofsensing presence of blood by detecting presence of a component of theblood, such as oxygen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In that form of the present invention chosen for purposes ofillustration in FIG. 1, a catheter placement device, indicated generallyat 10, is shown comprising a needle 12, having a tubular hollow shaft 14projecting from a handle portion or needle hub 16, and a flexiblecatheter 18 projecting from a hub 20. As shown, the catheter 18concentrically encircles the shaft 14 of the needle 12, while thecatheter hub 20 telescopes over the forward portion of the needle handleportion 16. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat, if desired, the needle 12 may be made to concentrically telescopeover the catheter 18. The catheter hub 20 has a radial flange 22 formedadjacent the rear end 24 of the hub 20 and has a lever 26, formed ofresilient material, projecting rearwardly from one side of the flange 22and having an opening 28 formed adjacent the free end of the lever 26,as best seen in FIG. 4. A bridge member 30 projects radially outwardfrom the needle handle 16 and, as best seen in FIG.3, has an aperture 32formed therein to receive the lever 26 and has a stud 34 projecting intothe aperture 32 which is mateable with the opening 28 of the lever 26 toreleasably retain the lever 26 and, hence, the hub 20 and catheter 18 inthe position shown in FIG. 1. Finally, resilient means, such a spring36, is mounted between the rear end 24 of the catheter hub 20 and thefront end 38 of the handle portion 16 of the needle 12 to urge the hub20 and catheter 18 forwardly.

In use, the catheter 18 and needle 12 are in the positions seen in FIG.1, with the catheter 18 encircling the shaft 14 of the needle 12 andwith opening 28 of lever 26 of the catheter 18 engaging the stud 34 ofthe bridge member 30 on the handle portion 16 of the needle 12 toreleasably lock the catheter 18 in the position shown in FIG. 1. Whenthe shaft 14 of the needle 12 penetrates a desired blood vessel, theoperator presses the lever 26 toward the handle portion 16 of the needle12, causing opening 28 of the lever 26 to disengage from the stud 34 andallowing spring 36 to drive the catheter 18 forwardly and, thereby, toadvance and position the catheter 18 within the blood vessel.Thereafter, the needle 12 may be removed and the tubing containing thefood, drugs or other desired material may be attached to the hub 20 ofthe catheter 18 for delivery of the desired material into the patient'sblood vessel. It will be apparent that the lever 26 can be operated bythe same hand which is holding the needle handle 16, thus, enabling theoperator to position the needle 12, advance and place the catheter 18and withdraw the needle 12 in a one-handed operation, leaving theoperator's other hand free for other purposes.

FIGS. 5-8 show an alternative form, indicated generally at 39, of thecatheter placement device 10 of FIG. 1 which serves to automaticallyadvance the catheter when the blood vessel is penetrated. In this formof the present invention, the catheter 40 encircles the needle shaft 42and has a hub 44 formed with an annular recess 46 extending about theinterior surface of the hub 44. The needle 42 has a generallycylindrical hub 48 formed with openings 50 in the side walls 52 of theneedle hub 48 to receive balls 54, to releasably lock the catheter hub44 in the position shown in FIG. 5, as will be more fully explainedhereafter. The rear end 56 of the needle hub 48 carries a radial flange58 and a cylindrical wall 60 extends forwardly from the flange 58 toencircle and guide movement of the catheter hub 44, which istelescopically slideably between the needle hub 48 and the cylindricalwall 60. A spring 59 is mounted within the cylindrical wall 60rearwardly of the catheter hub 44 and serves to urge the catheter hub44, and consequently, the catheter 40 forwardly. A wall member 62divides the interior of the needle hub 48 and defines a forward vacuumchamber 64 and a rearwardly opening recess 66. Within the forwardchamber 64, a piston 68 is slideably mounted and has an annular recess70 extending about the periphery of the piston 68, which serves toreceive the balls 54 when the catheter 40 is released, as hereinafterdescribed. A spring 72 is located between the wall member 62 and thepiston 68 to normally urge the piston 68 to seat against the forward endof the chamber 64, as seen in FIG. 5, so that the body 74 of the piston68 serves to force the balls 54 to extend through openings 50 to engagethe recess 46 of the catheter hub 44 and, hence, to releasably lock thecatheter hub 44 in the position shown in FIG. 5, against the urging ofspring 59. The wall member 62 has a central opening 76 and a post-needlemember 78 is mounted in the opening 76 and projects rearwardly as shown.A capsule 80 is slideably mountable within the rearwardly opening recess66 of the needle hub 48 and has a plug 82 closing the open end 84 of thecapsule 80. The capsule 80 contains a vacuum and the plug 82 isrupturable, when pressed against the post-needle member 78, to causepartial retraction of the piston 68, as more fully described below. FIG.5 shows the catheter placement device 39 in preparation for use, butprior to insertion. FIG. 6 shows the catheter placement device 39 afterthe needle 42 has penetrated the skin 86 of a patient, but prior topenetration of a blood vessel 88. Once the needle 42 has entered theskin 86, the operator presses the vacuum capsule 80 forwardly, causingthe post-needle member 78 to pierce the plug 82. This causes air fromthe forward chamber 64 of the needle hub 48 to enter the capsule 80,which creates a partial vacuum within the chamber 64 and serves topartially retract piston 68 against the action of spring 72. This, inturn, creates a vacuum within the chamber 64 forwardly of the piston 68,as seen at region 90. However, the body 74 of the piston 68 still servesto force the balls 54 into recess 46 to continue locking the catheterhub 44 in its retracted position, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. The catheterplacement device 39 is now "armed" to automatically advance the catheter40. In FIG. 7, the needle 42 has penetrated the wall 89 of the patient'sblood vessel 88. The instant that such penetration occurs, blood fromthe blood vessel 88 is drawn into region 90 by the vacuum in the region90. This backflow of blood drives the piston 68 rearwardly, against theaction of spring 72, to the point that the annular recess 70 of thepiston 68 becomes aligned with openings 50 of the side walls 52 of theneedle hub 48. Consequently, balls 54 can move into the recess 70 of thepiston 68 and out of the recess 46 of the catheter hub 44. When thisoccurs, spring 59 drives the catheter hub 44 and catheter 40 forwardly,automatically, without any action by the operator, to advance and placethe catheter 40, as seen in FIG. 8.

In use, the catheter placement device 39 is initially in the positionshown in FIG. 5, with the catheter 40 retracted and with piston 68 urgedforwardly by spring 72, causing balls 54 to pass through openings 50 inthe side walls 52 of the needle hub 48 to enter recess 46 of thecatheter hub 44 and, hence, to lock the catheter 40 in its retractedposition. Once the operator has inserted the needle 42 into the skin 86of the patient, the operator presses the vacuum capsule 80 forward,causing the post-needle member 78 to penetrate the plug 82. This causesair from chamber 64 of the needle hub 48 to enter the vacuum capsule 80and serves to partially retract the piston 68 to create a vacuum withinregion 90 forward of the piston 68, as seen in FIG. 6, and thereby"arming" the catheter placement device 39. Subsequently, the instant theneedle 42 penetrates the patient's blood vessel 88, as seen in FIG. 7,blood from the blood vessel 88 is drawn into region 90 of the needle hubchamber 64. This drives the piston 68 rearwardly, against the action ofspring 72, until annular recess 70 of the piston 68 becomes aligned withopenings 50 in the side walls 52 of the needle hub 48, which allowsballs 54 to move out of recess 46 of the catheter hub 44. Thisautomatically unlocks the catheter hub 44 and allows spring 59 toadvance the catheter 40, as seen in FIG. 8. Because the advancement ofthe catheter 40 occurs automatically and instantly, in response topenetration of the blood vessel 88 by the needle 42, proper placement ofthe catheter 40 is assured and overpenetration or underpenetration areavoided. Furthermore, pressing of the vacuum capsule 80 against thepost-needle member 78, to "arm" the catheter placement device 39, can beaccomplished by the operator as a one-handed operation. Thus, thecatheter placement device 39 provides simple and automatic, yet highlyaccurate placement of the catheter 40.

FIGS. 9-12 show another alternative form, indicated generally at 92, ofthe catheter placement device 10 of FIG.1 comprising a needle shaft 94projecting from a generally cylindrical hub 96 having a flange 98extending radially outward from the rear end 100 of the needle hub 96and having a cylindrical sleeve 102 extending forwardly from the flange98 and spaced from the side wall 103 of the cylindrical hub 96 to definea space 104 therebetween. A flexible tubular catheter 106 encircles theneedle shaft 94 and projects forwardly from a generally cup-shapedcatheter hub 108 having a side wall 110 which is telescopicallyslideable within the space 104 of the needle hub 96. A spring 112 ispositioned within the space 104 between the flange 98 of the needle hub96 and the rear end of the side wall 110 of the catheter hub 108 andserves as a self-propelling means to urge the catheter hub 108forwardly. The side wall 110 of the catheter hub 108 is formed with aninternal annular recess 114 and the side wall 103 of the cylindricalneedle hub 96 are formed with openings 116 and balls 118 are seated inthe openings 116 and extend into the recess 114 to releasably lock thecatheter hub 108 in its retracted position and in turn actuate theself-propelling means 112, as seen in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. A piston 120is slideably mounted within vacuum chamber 148 delimited by thecylindrical needle hub 96 and is formed with an annular recess 122,located adjacent the forward end of the piston 120, and an axial recess124, extending forwardly from the rear end 125 of the piston 120. Theneedle hub 96 has a stud 126 projecting radially outward adjacent therear end 100 of the needle hub 96 and a trigger member 128 encircles thestud 126 and is slideably mounted thereon. The trigger member or armingmeans 128 is formed with a pair of forwardly projecting flanges 130 and132. Flange 130 extends forwardly from the inner edge 134 of the rearsurface 136 of the trigger member 128 and a spring 127 is seated betweenthe stud 126 and the trigger member 128 to urge the trigger memberoutward causing flange 130 of the trigger member 128 to normally engagethe rear end 125 of the piston 120, as seen in FIG. 9, and serving tonormally prevent rearward movement of the piston 120. Flange 132 extendsforwardly from the inner edge 138 of the front surface 140 of thetrigger member 128. A latch member 142 is supported by a resilient stem143, which projects outwardly from the outer surface of the sleeve 102of the needle hub 96 adjacent flange 132 of the trigger member 128. Thelatch member 142 has an inclined rear surface 144, which is normallypositioned to partially underlie the end of flange 132 of the triggermember 128, as seen in FIG. 9. Finally, a spring 146 is located withinthe cylindrical needle hub 96 forwardly of the piston 120 to normallyurge the piston 120 rearwardly.

In use, the catheter placement device 92 is normally in the conditionseen in FIG. 9 with the trigger member 128 urged outwardly by spring 127urging trigger member 128 to its outward position wherein flange 130engages piston 120 to hold the piston 120 in its forward positioncompressing spring 146 and forcing balls 118 through openings 116 of theneedle hub 96 into recess 114 of the catheter hub 108 to releasably lockthe catheter hub 108 in its retracted position. Once the operator hascaused the needle shaft 94 to penetrate the patient's skin 86, as seenin FIG. 10, the operator presses the trigger member 128 inward towardthe cylindrical sleeve 102 of the needle hub 96, causing flange 130 ofthe trigger member 128 to disengage from piston 120 and to enter theaxial recess 124 of the piston 120, which allows spring 146 to drive thepiston 120 slightly rearward, as seen in FIG. 10, and creating a vacuumin the (space) chamber 148 forward of the piston 120 within thecylindrical needle hub 96. At the same time, flange 132 of the triggermember 128 moves inwardly past the inclined surface 144 of the latchmember 142, causing the latch member 142 to cam forwardly on theresilient stem 143. When flange 132 has past the inclined surface 144,the resilient stem 143 returns the latch member 142 to its originalposition, in which it now overlies flange 132 to lock the trigger member128 in its "(actuated) armed" position, as seen in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12.When the operator causes the needle shaft 94 to penetrate the wall 89 ofa blood vessel 88, blood from the blood vessel is instantly drawn intothe space 148 within the needle hub 96, due to the vacuum createdtherein when spring 146 drove the piston 120 to its partially retractedposition, as seen in FIG. 10. The vanishing of the vacuum due toentering or backflow of the blood in the space 148 forces the piston 120to its fully retracted position, as seen in FIG. 11, which causes theannular recess 122 of the piston 120 to become aligned with openings 116of side wall 103 of the needle hub 96 and allowing balls 118 to move outof the annular recess 114 of the side wall 110 of the catheter hub 108.This unlocks the catheter hub 108 and (allows spring) actuates thespring or self-propelling means 112 to drive the catheter hub 108forward to advance and place the catheter 106, as seen in FIG. 12.Again, it will be apparent that the operator can use one hand to graspand position the catheter placement device 92, during insertion of theneedle 94 into the patient's skin 86 and to actuate the trigger member128 to "arm" the catheter placement device 92 prior to penetration ofthe blood vessel 88, so that the catheter placement device 92 caninstantly and automatically advance and place the catheter 106 uponpenetration of the blood vessel 88, without additional effort by theoperator.

FIGS. 13-16 show another alternative form, indicated generally at 150,of the catheter placement device 10 of FIG. 1 comprising a needle shaft152 projecting from a generally cylindrical hub 154 having a flange 156extending radially outward from the rear end 158 of the needle hub 154and having a cylindrical sleeve 160 extending forwardly from the flange156 and spaced from the cylindrical hub 154 to define a space 162therebetween. A flexible tubular catheter 164 encircles the needle shaft152 and projects forwardly from a generally cup-shaped catheter hub 165having a side wall 166 which is telescopically slideable within thespace 162 of the needle hub 154. A spring 168 is positioned within thespace 162 between the flange 156 of the needle hub 154 and the rear endof the side wall 166 of the catheter hub 165 and serves to urge thecatheter hub 165 forwardly. The side wall 166 of the catheter hub 165 isformed with an internal annular recess 170 and the cylindrical needlehub 154 is formed with openings 172 and balls 174 are seated in theopenings 172 and extend into the recess 170 to releasably lock thecatheter hub 165 in its retracted position, as seen in FIGS. 13 and 14.A piston 176 is slideably mounted within the cylindrical needle hub 154and is formed with an annular recess 178, located adjacent the forwardend of the piston 176, and a rearwardly-opening recess 180, extendingforwardly from the rear end 182 of the piston 176. A generally U-shapedcapsule 184 is slideably mountable within the rearwardly-opening recess180 of the piston 176 and has a plug 186 closing the open end 188 of thecapsule 184. The capsule 184 contains a vacuum and the plug 186 isrupturable, when pressed against a post-needle member 190 carried by thepiston 176 and projecting rearwardly therefrom, to create a vacuumwithin the space 194 which "arms" the catheter placement device 150.

When the operator has inserted the needle shaft 152 into the skin of thepatient, the operator presses the vacuum capsule 184 inward to cause thepost-needle member 190 to pierce the plug 186 to "arm" the catheterplacement device 150. Subsequently, the instant the needle 152penetrates the wall 89 of the blood vessel 88, the vacuum in the space194 causes blood to backflow into the space 194 and the vanishing of thevacuum due to the blood entering the space 194 drives the piston 176 toits fully retracted position, as seen in FIG. 15, wherein the annularrecess 178 of the piston 176 is aligned with openings 172 in the sidewall of the needle hub 154, which allows the balls 174 to move out ofthe annular recess 170 in the side wall 166 of the catheter hub 165.This "unlocks" the catheter hub 165 and actuates spring 168 to drive thecatheter hub 165 forward to advance and place the catheter 164 withinthe blood vessel 88, as seen in FIG. 16. Here, again, the operator canuse one hand to insert the needle 152 into the patient's skin 86 and topress the vacuum capsule 184 inward to "arm" the catheter placementdevice 150. Subsequently, upon penetration of a blood vessel 88, thecatheter placement device 150 will, instantly and automatically, advanceand place the catheter 164 without any additional action by theoperator.

FIG. 17 shows an alternative form, indicated generally at 196, of thecatheter placement device 10 of FIG. 1. The catheter placement device196 is substantially identical with that of the catheter placementdevice 10 of FIG. 1, except that the spring 36 of the catheter placementdevice 10 is replaced by a pair of magnets 198 and 200 as aself-propelling means mounted with like poles in opposing relation, asindicated by arrows 202. In this way, when lever 26 is released, themagnets 198 and 200 will serve to drive the catheter hub 20 away fromthe front end 38 of the needle 12 and, hence, will serve toautomatically advance the catheter 18.

FIG. 18 shows an alternative form, indicated generally at 204, of thecatheter placement device 39 of FIG. 5. The catheter placement device204 is substantially identical with that the catheter placement device39 of FIG. 5, except that the spring 59 of the catheter placement device39 is replaced by a quantity of compressed gas as a self-propellingmeans which is supplied from a suitable source, such as capsule 206.

In use, the catheter placement device 204 functions in substantially thesame manner as the catheter placement device 39, except that when thecatheter hub 44 is unlocked the catheter 40 is automatically advanced byexpansion of the compressed gas from capsule 206, rather than byexpansion of spring 59.

FIG. 19 shows another alternative form, indicated generally at 208, ofthe catheter placement device 39 of FIG. 5. The catheter placementdevice 208 is substantially identical with that the catheter placementdevice 39 of FIG. 5, except that the spring 59 of the catheter placementdevice 39 is replaced by a pair of magnets 210 and 212 mounted with likepoles in opposing relation, as indicated by arrows 214.

In use, the catheter placement device 208 functions in substantially thesame manner as the catheter placement device 39, except that when thecatheter hub 44 is unlocked, the magnets 210 and 212 will serve toautomatically drive the catheter 40 forward for placement, rather thanby expansion of spring 59.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show a further alternative form, indicated generally at214, of the catheter placement device 92 of FIG. 9. The catheterplacement device 214 is substantially identical with that of thecatheter placement device 92 of FIG. 9, except that the locking balls118, openings 116 and advancing spring 112 of the catheter placementdevice 92 of FIG. 9 have been omitted. Instead, a cylindrical chamber216 is provided adjacent the rear end 100 of the needle hub, projectinginwardly from the side wall 103 of the needle hub 96. The cylinder 216has an opening 218 facing toward the rear end 125 of the piston 120 anda piston 220 is slideably mounted in the opening 218. The rear end ofthe cylinder 216 is connected to a generally U-shaped duct 222 and ashaft 224 is carried by the rear end of the catheter hub 108 andprojects into the end 226 of the duct 222. The cylinder 216 and duct 222are filled with a suitable-hydraulic fluid 228.

In use, when button 128 is pressed inwardly, it releases piston 120,which is driven partially rearward by spring 146. However, as the piston120 moves rearwardly, it creates a vacuum within space 148 whichprevents full rearward movement of the piston 120. Subsequently, (asseen in FIG. 21,) penetration of a blood vessel allows blood to backflowinto chamber 148 and the vanishing of the vacuum due to the entering ofthe blood into chamber 148 serves to drive the piston 120 rearward. Thepiston ring or sealing ring 240 assures that the vacuum in space 148will be maintained. (Subsequently, penetration of a blood vessel 88 bythe needle 94, allows blood to flow into space 148.) The vanishing ofthe vacuum due to the entering of the blood into space 148 drives piston120 farther rearward, which allows piston ring 240 to expand out ofrecess 242 in expanded posterior portion of vacuum chamber 148 andenables spring 146 to drive piston 120 fully rearward causing the rearend 125 of piston 120 to engage piston 220 and to drive the piston 220rearwardly within cylinder 216. This forces the hydraulic fluid 228 toflow through duct 222 and to drive shaft 228 forwardly to release thecatheter hub 108.

FIGS. 22, 23, 24 and 25 show yet another alternative form, indicatedgenerally at 230, of the catheter placement device 92 of FIG. 9. Thecatheter placement device 230 is substantially identical to the catheterplacement device 92 of FIG. 9, except that the locking balls 118,openings 116 and advancing spring 112 of the catheter placement device92 of FIG. 9 have been omitted and the advancing spring 112 is replacedby self-propelling means comprising a cam 232 which is pivotally mountedin the side wall 103 of the needle hub 102. The cam 232 has a triggerportion 234 and an actuator portion 236, which is engageable with therear end 238 of the side wall 110 of the catheter hub 108. Finally, apiston ring 240 is mounted in a recess 242 of the piston 120 andfrictionally engages the side wall 103 of vacuum chamber or space 148 ofthe needle hub 102.

In use, when, after skin penetration, the trigger button 128 is pressed,it moves arm 130 out of engagement with piston 120, which allows spring146 to drive piston 120 partially rearward, to the position seen in FIG.23. However, the movement of piston 120 creates a vacuum within space148 which opposes the action of spring 146 and limits the rearwardmovement of the piston 120. The piston ring 240 assures that the vacuumin space 148 will be maintained. Subsequently, penetration of a bloodvessel 88 by the needle 94, allows blood to flow into space 148, as seenin FIG. 24. The vanishing of the vacuum due to the entering of the bloodinto space 148 drives piston 120 farther rearward, which allows pistonring 240 to expand out of recess 242 and enables spring 146 to drivepiston 120 fully rearward to engage the trigger portion 234 of cam 232,causing cam 232 to pivot and causing the actuator portion 236 of cam232, as seen in FIG. 25 to drive the rear end 238 of side wall 110 ofthe catheter hub 108 forward to release and place the catheter 106.

FIG. 26 shows yet another alternative form, indicated generally at 244,of the catheter placement device 230 of FIGS. 22, 23, 24 and 25. Thecatheter placement device 244 is substantially identical to the catheterplacement device 230 of FIG. 22, except that the cam 232 is omitted and,instead, self-propelling means comprising a lever 246 is pivotallymounted on the forwardly extending arm 130 of the trigger button 128 andone side of the rearwardly extending portion 125 of piston 120 isomitted. The lever 246 comprises a trigger portion 248, which extendsinto the path of movement of the rearwardly extending portion 125 ofpiston 120, and an actuator portion 250 which engages the rear end 238of the side wall 110 of the catheter hub 108.

In use, the catheter placement device 244 functions in substantially thesame manner as the catheter placement device 230 of FIGS. 22, 23, 24 and25. However, when the blood entering space 146 drives piston 120rearwardly, the rearwardly extending position 125 of piston 120 engagesthe trigger portion 248 of the lever 246, causing the lever 246 topivot, driving the trigger portion 248 rearwardly to the position seenin dotted lines in FIG. 26, and causing the actuator portion 250 oflever 246 to move forwardly, as seen in dotted lines in FIG. 26, todrive the rear end 238 of the catheter hub 108 forwardly to release andplace the catheter 106.

FIGS. 27-33 show a fully automatic form of catheter placement device,indicated generally at 260, wherein the means for arming the sensingmeans which responds to blood vessel penetration is automaticallyactuable upon skin penetration by the needle. The catheter placementdevice 260 is essentially similar to the device of FIG. 9 with thefollowing important differences: the arming means, which in FIG. 9 wasrepresented by the trigger member 128, is represented in the device 260by a cylinder or sleeve 302 surrounding the catheter and telescopicallyslideable on the catheter, of sufficient thickness, particularly incorrespondence of its distal end 304 to not be permitted to follow theneedle shaft 308 and catheter shaft 306 at the site of skin penetration,and to be retained as soon as the distal end of the cylinder is incontact with the skin. The retention of the cylinder, while the needleand catheter are being advanced inside the skin, will result in abackward movement of the cylinder relatively to the needle and thecatheter. The backward movement of the cylinder will force the tooth 298against a non-steep side of the notch 310 where the tooth was resting inits initial position, displacing it outward. In turn, the tooth 298 willforce the resilient hook 296 outwardly causing the disengagement of thehollow piston 272, to which the resilient hook is anchored, from theedge 320 of a hole 294 formed in the front end of an anterior fold 322of the needle hub connecting the internal needle hub 324 with theexternal needle hub 326. The piston 272, no longer retained, will beurged backward by the action of spring 290. However, the movement ofpiston 272 creates a vacuum within space or vacuum chamber 328 whichopposes the action of spring 290 and limits the rearward movement of thepiston. Subsequently, penetration of a blood vessel 88 by the needle 94allows blood to flow into space 328, as seen in FIG. 31. The pressure ofthis blood drives piston 272 farther rearward, which allows flange 288of piston 272 to outwardly displace the resilient hook 280, which isanchored to the catheter hub 312, out of the hole 278 formed in theexternal needle hub 326. Resilient hook 280 is the equivalent of theball members of FIG. 9. The outward displacement of resilient hook 280will result in a disengagement of the catheter hub 312, to which thehook 280 is anchored, from the needle hub 330. Such a disengagement willno longer retain the catheter hub 312 from the action of spring 266, andthe catheter 306 will be propelled into an advanced position relativelyto the needle. In FIG. 33, the catheter 306 is shown in its finalintravenous position, after the removal-of needle 308 and needle hub284, connected to adaptor 260 of intravenous tubing 263.

FIGS. 34-36 show another alternative form of a catheter placementdevice, indicated generally at 320. The catheter placement device 320 isessentially similar to the device of FIGS. 27-33 with the followingimportant differences: the self-propelling catheter advancement isobtained by the expansion of expandable material 358 and the omission ofcatheter automatic arming. The needle hub 342 of the needle 340 containsa chamber 356 filled with a thermally expandable material 358, such asmercury. Chamber 356 has in its proximal portion a hollow piston 364with flanges 366 interposed between the inner face of the catheter hub336 and the front of the needle hub 324. A lever 322 with its resilientsegment 326 attached to flange 332 of piston 330 protrudes through anopening 372 of catheter hub 336 and opening 370 of needle hub 342. Thislever 322, in its resting position, locks hollow piston 330 in itsadvanced position, not allowing spring 328 to displace the piston 330rearwardly. Once the tip of the needle 340 penetrates skin 86, the lever322 is lifted by the operator, thus disengaging piston 330 to a rearwardposition, resulting in creation of a vacuum within the hollow needleshaft 340 and spaces 374 and 360. Upon penetration of needle 340 into ablood vessel 89, blood will rush into the spaces 374 and 360, via thehollow needle shaft 340. The blood, at 37 degrees Centigrades or warmer,will cause the thermally expandable material 358 to expand, provokingthe rapid advancement of piston 364 which, acting upon catheter hubsurfaces 336, will push forward, via its flanges, catheter 338 furtherinside blood vessel 89.

FIG. 37 shows yet another alternative form, indicated generally at 400,of the catheter placement device of FIG. 9. The catheter placementdevice 400 is essentially identical to the catheter placement device 92of FIG. 9 except that a membrane 402 of deformable material isinterposed between spring 146 and piston 120. The dome 401 of membrane402 is securely attached, via a screw or pin 404, to the anteriorsurface 403 of piston 120. The lateral segments 406 of membrane 402 areairtightly fitting the space 408 between the sidewall 103 of needle hub96 and hollow cylindrical structure 405,in order to create an air-tightcompartment 407. Catheter placement device 400 basically functions ascatheter placement device 92. When the catheter has penetrated the skinand the device is armed, spring 146 is released, causing deformation ofdome 401 of membrane 402 and increasing the volume of the air-tightcompartment 407, to create a vacuum within needle hub 92.

Upon blood vessel penetration, the piston 120, with attached membrane402, no longer retained by the vacuum in space 407, will be carriedrearwardly by the action of spring 146 until ball 118 enters annularrecess 122. The catheter shaft 106, as described for catheter placementdevice 192 in FIGS.11 and 12, is free to be displaced forward within theblood lumen by spring 112.

FIGS. 38-41 show yet another alternative form, indicated generally at500, of the catheter placement device 39 of FIG. 5. In this version, thepropelling unit or housing 510 is basically identical to needle hub 48of catheter placement device 39 of FIG. 5.The difference between the twodevices lies on the fact that the catheter hub 40 of device 39 of FIG. 9has been replaced by a separate unit, the-interface member 505, whilecatheter 540 has an ordinary hub 544. Said interface member 505, of agenerally cylindrical shape, has an adaptor 502 protruding from thefront end 503 which fits into the ordinary catheter hub 544 to which isconnected. The needle 542, on the contrary, in this version, is still anintegral, non detachable part of the propelling unit 510.

The sequence of operations for unit 500 is similar to that described forcatheter placement device 39 of FIG. 5. In summary, after needle 542 ofunit 500 has penetrated the skin 86, a vacuum is created in front ofpiston 68 by the arming of the device carried out by forward pressing ofvacuum capsule 80 against post needle member 78 with resulting piercingof plug 82 and rearward aspiration of piston 68 with partial retractionof said piston. Upon blood vessel penetration, blood from blood vessel88 is drawn into vacuum space or vacuum chamber 90 in front of piston 68causing vanishing of such vacuum and full rearward retraction of piston68 to permit ball members 54 to enter recess 70 of piston 68. Interfacemember 505, not any longer retained by balls 54 engaged in annularrecess 546 and opening 50, will be urged to advance by spring 59,driving catheter 540, via adaptor 502 connected to catheter hub 544,further into the blood vessel. After catheter 540 is securely placed inblood vessel 88, propelling unit 510 with its interface member 505 isextracted and the catheter left in place as in FIG. 41.

FIGS. 42-47 show another alternative form of catheter placement device,indicated generally at 600, of the catheter placement device 39 ofFIG.5. In this version, needle 642 and catheter 640 with theirrespective ordinary hubs 648 and 644, are separate units from thepropelling unit or housing 610. Propeller unit 610 is basicallyidentical to needle hub 48 of device 39 of FIG. 5. An interface member605 has replaced catheter hub 44 of device 39 of FIG. 5. FIG. 42 showsseparately the four components of the device 600 prior to assembly anduse: propelling unit or housing 610, ordinary needle 642, ordinarycatheter 640, interface member 605. FIGS. 43, 44 and 45 show progressivestages of the assembly process. FIG. 43 shows needle 643 with ordinaryhub 648 connected to adaptor 603 of propelling unit 610 via a screw typeof mechanism 602, while member interface 605 and catheter 640 are shownin line ready to be connected. FIG. 44 shows catheter 640 and interfacemember 605 connected to each other via the fitting of the adaptor 608 ofinterface member 605 into ordinary catheter hub 644 of catheter 640.FIG. 45 shows the entire unit assembled and ready to be used.

The sequence of operation for the placement of catheter 640 into theblood vessel is the same as the one described for the device 39 of FIG.5 and device 500 of FIG. 38--41. FIG. 46 shows the advancement ofinterface member 605 and catheter 640 upon blood vessel penetration.FIG. 47 shows the propelling unit 610 with interface member 605extracted from the catheter 640 placed within the blood vessel.

FIGS. 48, 49, 50 show yet an alternative form of catheter placementdevice 39 of FIG. 5. In this version, generally indicated at 700, thepropelling unit 710 or housing 710 is a separate unit from the catheter740 and the needle 742 with their respective ordinary hubs 744 and 748.The separate propelling unit 710 can be applied to the catheter/needleassembly at the moment of use as needed by the operator. Propeller unit710 is basically identical to needle hub 48 of FIG. 5, and catheter hub44 has been replaced by interface member 705. Interface member 705 ofgeneral cylindrical hollow shape is interposed between outer wall 760and inner wall 750 of propelling unit 710. Interface member 705 hasflange 712 to which two crossed studs 722 are pivoted by pin 720 onflange 712. Arms 724 of studs 722 are applied to catheter hub 744maintaining a secure grip on catheter hub 744 via the pressure exertedby released band spring 714 on proximal crossed segments of stud 722.FIG. 49 is a top view of device 700. The crossed studs are visualizedmaintaining firm grip on catheter hub 744 via arms 724.

The sequence of operation is identical to the one described for devices39 of FIG. 5 and device 500 of FIGS. 38-41. In FIG. 50 interface member710 urged forward by the release of spring 59 upon blood vesselpenetration, will carry forward crossed studs 722 which will advancecatheter 740 into the blood vessel due to the grip of arms 724 oncatheter hub 744. The propelling unit 710 can be then removed from thecatheter 740 releasing the grip of arms 724 on catheter hub 744 viaapproximating proximal segment of studs 722 against released band spring714.

FIG. 51 and FIG. 52 show an alternative form of the semiautomaticversion of the catheter placement device generally indicated at 800. Inthis version catheter placement device 800 includes a generallycylindrically shaped propelling unit 810 with an inner hollow cylinder814 with a front end 816 supporting needle 840 and an outer cylinder812, concentric to inner cylinder 814, bearing flange 822 and lever 844and enclosing, for the purpose of visualizing backflow of blood, atransparent chamber 826 containing vacuum capsule 830. Catheterplacement device 800 includes also catheter 860 with ordinary catheterhub 862 and an interface member 850 interposed between outer cylinder812 and inner cylinder 824, provided with adaptor 852 fitting intoordinary catheter hub 862. FIG. 51 shows device 800 in its armedposition after skin penetration. Arming is obtained by pressing forwardvacuum capsule 830 against posterior segment 842 of needle 840 causingthe piercing of plug 832 of capsule 830 by said posterior segment 842.FIG. 52 shows device 800 after blood vessel penetration. Upon bloodvessel penetration, vacuum 834 within capsule 830 will draw blood intotransparent vacuum capsule 830. Presence of blood in capsule 830 willalert the operator of the occurred blood vessel penetration and he orshe will promptly press handle 844 of lever 824 pivoted on fulcrum 846,causing disengagement of tooth 844 out of recess 856 of interface member850. Disengagement of tooth 844 will permit advancement of interfacemember 840 by action of spring 818 and placement of its connectedcatheter 860 within blood vessel 89.

FIG. 53 through 59 show alternative types of catheter placement devicesin which means of sensing penetration comprises various types oftransducers activated by backflow of the blood occurring uponpenetration of the blood vessel. In the following figures, transducershave been represented in conjunction with a vacuum chamber acceleratingthe backflow. However, naturally, transducers can work as well withoutthe presence of the vacuum chamber.

FIG. 53 shows a schematic version of the device in which anoptical-photosensor senses the occurred penetration of the blood vesselby optically detecting the blood rushing into the detection chamber. Theoptical-photosensor pair, source/sensor chosen for representation inFIG. 53 includes a light emitting device, 950, and a light sensor, 952.Transduction of light stimuli captured by light sensors 952 in responseto passage of the blood within detection chamber 928 may be variouslyobtained by various transduction elements, like photovoltaic,photoconductive, photoconductive junction, photoemissive. Transducerswill in turn activate electromagnet 925 to displace metal lever 932 ofFIG. 53 by attraction toward its pole effacing the lever, disengaging inso doing lever 932 from its retainer 934, and permitting forwardadvancement of the catheter 918 by the resiliency of compressed spring936 acting upon flange 938 of needle hub 940 and flange 922 of catheterhub 920. The light sensor 952 of FIG. 53 may be placed on the same sideas light emitting device 950. In that case the light sensor 952 willdetect a beam reflected from the opposite wall of the detection chamber,which in that case acts as reflecting surface, or by the blood itselfthat will reflect the light beam by diffusion. The light sensor 952placed on the same side as the light emitting device.

FIG. 54 shows a device substantially similar to device of FIG. 53, wheretemperature sensors, rather than optical sensors, sense the occurredpenetration of the blood vessel by detecting the variation oftemperature induced on temperature sensors 954 and 956 of FIG. 54 by thewarm blood rushing into the detection chamber. The temperature sensorschosen for representation in FIG. 54 are sensors responding to heattransfer method of conduction from blood to sensors, however temperaturesensors acting upon heat transfer method of convection as well assensors acting upon heat transfer method of radiation (such as infraredradiation emitters/receivers) can also be used. Transduction elementsmay be thermoelectric elements (such as thermocouples), resistiveelements (such as resistance thermometers), oscillating crystalselements, and others.

FIG. 55 shows a device substantially similar to device of FIG. 53, wheresensors detecting blood as an electric conductor, rather than opticalsensors, sense the occurred penetration of the needle into a bloodvessel by detecting the appearance of an electrical conductor, such asblood, rushing into the detection chamber. The sensors chosen in FIG. 55to illustrate the detection of the physical property of conductivity ofthe blood include an electromagnet, 958. Detection chamber 928 isbetween the poles of electromagnet 958. The blood rushing into thedetection chamber upon needle penetration of a blood vessel is detectedby an application of the principle that a voltage proportionate to therate of flow is induced in a conductor (in this case blood in thedetection chamber) moving through a magnetic field at right angles tothe magnetic lines of forces. Transduction is achieved by inductance,capacitance, resistance. Blood could also behave as a dielectric and assuch the rushing of the blood into the detection chamber could bedetected by capacitance transducers where the passage of blood resultsin changes of voltages at the electrodes of the capacitor.

FIG. 56 shows a device substantially similar to device of FIG. 53, wheresensors detect the physical property of the blood as a fluid. The sensorchosen in FIG. 56 to illustrate detection of blood as a flowing fluid ismechanical flow sensing element 966, whose angular displacement iscaused by the rushing of the blood into detection chamber 928 upon bloodvessel penetration. Such a displacements may activate a switch which inturn will activate electromagnet 926. Other type of sensor detecting thephysical property of the blood as a fluid can be used, such as othertypes of flow sensors, fluid density sensors, humidity and moisturessensors, hygrometers,and others. Transduction elements are of mostvarious types and depend upon the type of sensing element used.

FIG. 57 shows a device substantially similar to device of FIG. 53, wheresensors detecting static and dynamic acoustic properties of the blood.The sensors chosen in FIG. 57 illustrate the presence of the blood viadetecting the sound generated by the blood rushing into detectionchamber 928 by acoustic sensor 974. Sensors based on ultrasound/sonartechnics can also be used to detect blood rushing into detection chamberupon blood vessel penetration.

FIG. 58 shows pressure/vacuum transducers, 980, activated by the changein pressure in detection chamber 928 occurring upon blood vesselpenetration. The pressure transducers may be of various types:capacitative, inductive, piezoelectric, potentiomentric, reluctive,strain-gage, servo-type, of vibrating elements, and others.

FIG. 59 shows yet an alternative form of the device of FIG. 53 in whichthe represented sensor 990 is an illustration of a sensor of chemicalproperties of the blood, such as a sensor able to detect certain rangesof pH, characteristic of the blood. Other kinds of chemical propertiesof the blood are susceptible to be detected with the appropriatesensors, as well as physiological properties of the blood. Blood couldalso be detected by detecting blood components with the use ofappropriate sensors analizers, such as the 02 sensor 990 of FIG. 59.Sensors analizers could identify blood presence by any of the technicsused to analize blood components. The blood components that can be usedfor blood detection are all the blood components which can be quicklyidentified by analizers.

Obviously, numerous other variations and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore,it should be clearly understood that the forms of the present inventiondescribed above and shown in the figures of the accompanying drawing areillustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. The intravascular catheter device for insertionof an intravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vesselcomprising:an intravascular catheter; a hollow needle, said catheterbeing concentric to said hollow needle; a chamber, wherein the pressurewithin said chamber is a vacuum pressure after the needle is inserted inbody tissue, said chamber being in communication with said hollowneedle; means for self-propelled advancement of said intravascularcatheter into the interior of a blood vessel; means for actuating saidmeans for self-propelled advancement of said catheter into the interiorof a blood vessel, upon backflow of blood occurring upon blood vesselpenetration, said blood being drawn by said vacuum pressure toward saidchamber, said actuating means being manually actuable.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising:a housing wherein said chamber and saidpropelling means are housed, said hollow needle projecting forward fromsaid housing and communicating with said chamber; wherein saidintravascular catheter comprises a hollow catheter shaft slideable alongsaid hollow needle, and a catheter hub adapted to engage with saidpropelling means, said hollow catheter shaft projecting from saidcatheter hub; wherein said manually actuating means includes a manuallyoperable lever provided with a retaining tooth, releasably retaining thecatheter hub in a rearward position, said catheter hub being urgedforward by said self-propelling means and self-propelled to an advancedposition upon manual displacement of said lever.
 3. The device of claim2 wherein said means for manually actuating said self-propelling meanscomprises:a manually operable lever provided with a retaining tooth,releasably retaining an interface member interposed between saidpropelling means and said catheter in a rearward position, saidinterface member being urged forward by said self-propelling means andself-propelled to an advanced position upon manual displacement of saidlever.
 4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:means for allowingthe operator to visualize the backflow of the blood occurring upon bloodvessel penetration to manually actuate said propelling means, said bloodbeing drawn by a vacuum pressure within said chamber.
 5. The device ofclaim 4 wherein said means for visualization of the blood by theoperator includes:at least one transparent wall of said chamber.
 6. Thedevice of claim 4 further comprising:a vacuum capsule with at least onetransparent wall.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein said self-propelledmeans is magnetic.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said self-propelledmeans is pneumatic.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein said self-propelledmeans is expandable material.
 10. The device of claim 1 furthercomprising:means for creation of a vacuum pressure within said vacuumchamber, said means for creation of a vacuum pressure being actuableupon insertion of said needle into tissues overlaying the blood vesselto create vacuum pressure within said chamber, said vacuum pressurebeing sustainable by the sealing of said hollow needle upon insertion ofsaid needle into said tissues overlaying the blood vessel, said hollowneedle being sealable by said tissues, upon said insertion of the needleinto said tissues, said vacuum pressure causing backflow of blood toaccelerate into said vacuum chamber upon penetration of said needle intosaid blood vessel, said self-propelling means being manually releasableupon visualization of said blood, thereto to insert said catheter intosaid blood vessel.
 11. The device of claim 1 further comprising:a pistonaxially slideable in an airtight fashion within said chambercommunicating with said hollow needle, said piston being urged torearwardly withdraw by withdrawing means and being retainable in aforward position within said chamber, said piston being releasable fromits forward position upon insertion of said needle into the tissuesoverlaying said blood vessel, to withdraw by said withdrawing means to apartial rearward position as far as allowed by said vacuum pressurebeing created in said vacuum chamber in front of said piston as a resultof a combined rearward movement of said piston and of airtight sealingof said hollow needle, said hollow needle being sealed by said tissuesoverlaying the blood vessel, upon said insertion of the needle into saidtissues, said vacuum pressure causing backflow of blood to accelerateinto said vacuum chamber upon penetration of said needle into said bloodvessel, said self-propelling means being manually releasable uponvisualization of said blood, thereto to insert said catheter into saidblood vessel.
 12. The device of claim 1 further comprising:a vacuumcapsule having a plug pierceable by a posterior segment of said hollowneedle in air-fluids communication with said hollow needle, said plugbeing pierceable upon insertion of said needle into tissues overlayingsaid blood vessel, said pierceable plug being airtightly sealable aroundsaid posterior segment of said hollow needle, to form said vacuumchamber in air-fluids communication with said hollow needle, to create avacuum pressure extending to said hollow needle, said vacuum pressurebeing sustainable by the sealing of said hollow needle upon insertion ofsaid needle into said tissues overlaying the blood vessel, said hollowneedle being sealable by said tissues, upon said insertion of the needleinto said tissues, said vacuum pressure causing backflow of blood toaccelerate into said vacuum chamber upon penetration of said needle intosaid blood vessel, said self-propelling means being manually releasableupon visualization of said blood, thereto to insert said catheter intosaid blood vessel.
 13. An intravascular catheter device for insertion ofan intravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vesselcomprising:an intravascular catheter; a hollow needle, said catheterbeing concentric to said hollow needle; a chamber, wherein the pressurewithin said chamber is a partial vacuum pressure, said chamber being incommunication with said hollow needle. means for self-propelledadvancement of said intravascular catheter into the interior of a bloodvessel; means for actuating said means for self-propelled advancement ofsaid catheter into the interior of a blood vessel, upon backflow ofblood occurring upon blood vessel penetration, said blood being drawn bysaid vacuum pressure toward said chamber, said actuating means beingmanually actuable.
 14. An intravascular catheter device for insertion ofan intravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vesselcomprising:an intravascular catheter; a hollow needle, said catheterbeing concentric to said hollow needle; a chamber, wherein the pressurewithin said chamber is below the atmospheric pressure, said chamberbeing in communication with said hollow needle; means for self-propelledadvancement of said intravascular catheter into the interior of a bloodvessel; means for actuating said means for self-propelled advancement ofsaid catheter into the interior of a blood vessel, upon backflow ofblood occurring upon blood vessel penetration, said blood being drawn bysaid vacuum pressure toward said chamber, said actuating means beingmanually actuable.
 15. An intravascular catheter device for insertion ofan intravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vesselcomprising:an intravascular catheter; a hollow needle, said catheterbeing concentric to said hollow needle; a chamber in communication withsaid hollow needle, said chamber being adapted to receive vacuumpressure upon body tissues sealing of said hollow needle; means forself-propelled advancement of said intravascular catheter into theinterior of a blood vessel; means for actuating said means forself-propelled advancement of said catheter into the interior of a bloodvessel, upon backflow of blood occurring upon blood vessel penetration,said blood being drawn by said vacuum pressure toward said chamber, saidactuating means being manually actuable.
 16. An intravascular catheterdevice for insertion of an intravascular catheter into the interior of ablood vessel comprising:an intravascular catheter; a hollow needle, saidcatheter being concentric to said hollow needle; side wall means fordefining a blood-receiving chamber having an opening in communicationwith said hollow needle, through which blood is receivable into saidchamber, said chamber including at least one displaceable member tochange the volume within said chamber; means for self-propelledadvancement of said intravascular catheter into the interior of a bloodvessel; means for actuating said means for self-propelled advancement ofsaid catheter into the interior of a blood vessel, upon backflow ofblood occurring upon blood vessel penetration, said blood being drawn bysaid vacuum pressure toward said chamber, said actuating means beingmanually actuable.
 17. An intravascular catheter device for insertion ofan intravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vesselcomprising:an intravascular catheter; a hollow needle, said catheterbeing concentric to said hollow needle; side wall means for defining ablood -receiving chamber having an opening in communication with saidhollow needle, through which blood is receivable into said chamber, saidchamber including at least one deformable member to change the volumewithin said chamber; means for self-propelled advancement of saidintravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vessel; means formanually actuating said means for self-propelled advancement of saidcatheter into the interior of a blood vessel, upon backflow of bloodoccurring upon blood vessel penetration, said blood being drawn by saidvacuum pressure toward said chamber.
 18. An intravascular catheterdevice for insertion of an intravascular catheter into the interior of ablood vessel comprising:an intravascular catheter; a hollow needle, saidcatheter being concentric to said hollow needle; means for applying asuction to said hollow needle to cause blood to backflow within saidhollow needle upon blood vessel penetration by said hollow needle; meansfor self-propelled advancement of said intravascular catheter into theinterior of a blood vessel; means for manually actuating said means forself-propelled advancement of said catheter into the interior of a bloodvessel, upon said backflow of blood occurring upon blood vesselpenetration.
 19. An intravascular catheter device for insertion of anintravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vessel comprising:anintravascular catheter; a hollow needle, said catheter being concentricto said hollow needle; means for accelerating the backflow response timeupon blood vessel penetration to cause said propelling means to advancethe intravascular catheter immediately upon blood vessel penetration bysaid hollow needle; means for self-propelled advancement of saidintravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vessel; means formanually actuating said means for self-propelled advancement of saidcatheter into the interior of a blood vessel, upon said acceleratedbackflow of blood occurring upon blood vessel penetration.
 20. Anintravascular catheter device for insertion of an intravascular catheterinto the interior of a blood vessel comprising:an intravascularcatheter; a hollow needle, said catheter being concentric to said hollowneedle; means for enhancing the pressure differential between thepressure within the blood vessel and the atmospheric pressure within achamber in communication with said blood vessel via said hollow needle;means for self-propelled advancement of said intravascular catheter intothe interior of a blood vessel; means for actuating said means forself-propelled advancement of said catheter into the interior of a bloodvessel, upon backflow of blood occurring upon blood vessel penetration,said blood being drawn toward said chamber by said enhanced pressuredifferential, said actuating means being manually actuable.
 21. Anintravascular catheter placement device for insertion of anintravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vessel comprising:anintravascular catheter; a hollow needle, said catheter being concentricto said hollow needle; means for sensing pressure differential betweenthe pressure within a penetrated blood vessel and the pressure within achamber in communication with said blood vessel via said hollow needle,said means for sensing pressure differential resulting in backflow ofblood toward said chamber occurring upon blood vessel penetration; meansfor self-propelled advancement of said intravascular catheter into theinterior of a blood vessel; means for manually actuating said means forself-propelled advancement of said catheter into the interior of a bloodvessel.
 22. An intravascular catheter placement device for insertion ofan intravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vesselcomprising:an intravascular catheter; a hollow needle, said catheterbeing concentric to said hollow needle; side wall means for defining ablood-receiving chamber having an opening in communication with saidhollow needle, through which blood is receivable into said chamber, saidchamber including at least one displaceable member, said displaceablemember being displaceable in response to pressure changes occurringwithin said chamber; means for self-propelled advancement of saidintravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vessel; means formanually actuating said means for self-propelled advancement of saidcatheter into the interior of a blood vessel.
 23. An intravascularcatheter placement device for insertion of an intravascular catheterinto the interior of a blood vessel comprising:an intravascularcatheter; a hollow needle, said catheter being concentric to said hollowneedle; side wall means for defining a blood-receiving chamber having anopening in communication with said hollow needle, through which blood isreceivable into said chamber, said chamber including at least onedeformable member, said deformable member being deformable in responseto pressure changes occurring within said chamber; means forself-propelled advancement of said intravascular catheter into theinterior of a blood vessel; means for manually actuating said means forself-propelled advancement of said catheter into the interior of a bloodvessel.